US20020067727A1 - Intelligent network and method for providing voice telephony over ATM - Google Patents

Abstract

An illustrative intelligent network and method for providing voice telephony over ATM are provided that can provide significant advantages. The intelligent network includes a multi-service control point, an ATM signaling intercept processor, and a service administration. The multi-service control point receive an input extracted from an input ATM setup message that includes a called party phone number value and a VToA designator, and generates an output in response for use in generating an output ATM setup message. The ATM signaling intercept processor intercepts the input ATM setup message from an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, extracts the input from the input ATM setup message, communicates the input to the multi-service control point, receives the output generated by the multi-service control point, generates the output ATM setup message using the output, and communicates the output ATM setup message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network. The service administration provisions the multi-service control point and the ATM signaling intercept processor. An illustrative method for providing VToA is also provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates in general to the field of data networks, telecommunications and more particularly to an intelligent network and method for providing voice telephony over Asynchronous Transfer Mode (“ATM”).[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The need for both voice telephony services as well as data services is common. Traditionally, this may only be achieved through the use of separate services. For example, dedicated voice telephony services and dedicated data services are provided over separate and distinct networks. This is a significant disadvantage because of the high expense of maintaining and paying for such separate and distinct services, not to mention the inconvenience and inefficiency introduced because voice and data services are not integrated.[0002]
• Packet-switched telecommunications networks may be based on any of a variety of technologies and protocols such as, for example, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (“ATM”), MultiProtocol Label Switching (“MPLS”), Internet Protocol (“IP”), Frame Relay (“FR”), and X.25. Packet-switched telecommunications networks have data packets, cells, frames or blocks (hereinafter “packets” or “cells”) that are either of fixed length or variable length. Although originally designed to transmit data, as opposed to voice or voice encoded data, packet-switched telecommunications networks may be used for voice communications. Some of the packet-switched technologies that may be used-for voice communications include, without limitation, Voice Telephony over ATM (“VToA”), Voice over Frame-Relay (“VoFR”), Voice over Digital Subscriber Line (“VoDSL”), and Voice over IP (“VoIP”).[0003]
• Focusing on VToA when compared to voice communications or voice telephony provided over traditional circuit-dedicated or circuit-switching telecommunications networks, the use of VToA, unfortunately, presents significant problems and disadvantages, especially in view of the fact that the needs of both data communications and voice communications must be met over the same network. For example, VToA does not provide advanced telephony services and features that are commoly found in traditional circuit-dedicated telecommunications networks. Similarly, advanced signaling, also commonly found in traditional circuit-dedicated telecommunications networks, is not available for VToA in the same manner that circuit-dedicated or circuit-switching telecommunications networks.[0004]
• To setup and establish a Switched Virtual Circuit (“SVC”) to support VToA between a calling party and a called party, various signaling or ATM messages are used within the ATM network. This may be achieved using ATM setup and connect messages. Once ATM signaling has established an SVC, a data connection is defined and data, such as voice encoded data, may be communicated. Voice encoded data may continue to be communicated until one end of the SVC issues a release message (or any similar message that causes a disconnection). At such time, the SVC is released and voice communications ceases. Examples of traditional ATM signaling used to setup and release point-to-point and point-to-multipoint SVCs for telephony applications is illustrated in the book entitled Hands-On ATM by David E. McDysan and Darren L. Spohn, which is incorporated herein for all purposes.[0005]
• In a traditional telecommunications or voice network, signaling can be in-band or out-of-band. Signaling may be used to setup and establish voice circuits, to provide Intelligent Network (“IN”) or Advanced Intelligent Network (“AIN”) services and features, and to disconnect voice circuits. In an ATM network, where an SVC is established to support VToA, signaling is achieved through the use of ATM messages, such as those used to setup and disconnect SVCs. Unfortunately, such ATM signaling does not support IN or AIN to provide the advanced telephony services and features commonly found in traditional voice telecommunications networks. This significantly reduces the attractiveness of VToA as compared to traditional voice telecommunications networks or even some other data or packet networks capable of providing voice or telephony communications services.[0006]
• More particularly, a serious problem and drawback of existing VToA is the difficulty or inability to institute advanced calling features on an ATM network-wide basis. Unfortunately, many customary and advanced voice telephony services, which are often available through traditional telecommunications networks designed to transport and support voice telephony, such as circuit-dedicated telecommunications networks, are not available or easily achieved or implemented with VToA. For example, the capability to block calls from one or more locations in a corporation to other locations or areas, such as a specified country or countries, is a valuable service or option that is available in traditional voice telecommunications networks. To implement such a service or feature in a traditional VToA would require that blocking information be provided in various systems and gateways and updated as needed. This is inefficient, cumbersome and expensive to carry out. As is illustrated, this type of a service is problematic to implement in traditional VToA networks and systems. Various other valuable telecommunications services and features, which may be available in traditional telecommunications networks, suffer from the same significant disadvantage illustrated above.[0007]
• In addition to the significant limitations in ATM signaling to support advanced or intelligent network telephony, the administration and maintenance of VToA systems and processes is extremely burdensome and expensive. For example, numerous private and public phone numbers, which change frequently, have to be updated and maintained in various systems and gateways. As moves, adds, changes, and deletions occur, each VToA gateway must be updated with the relevant changes. This is a critical task that is onerous and expensive to perform and fraught with potential errors.[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• From the foregoing it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for an intelligent network and method for providing VToA that provides intelligent network signaling to support advanced telephony services and features for VToA, while still allowing the benefits of integrating voice and data communications on the same ATM network. In accordance with the present invention, an intelligent network and method for providing VToA are provided that substantially eliminate one or more of the disadvantages and problems outlined above.[0009]
• According to one aspect of the present invention, an intelligent network for use with an ATM network to set up an ATM switched virtual circuit to provide VToA services is provided. The intelligent network includes a multi-service control point, an ATM signaling intercept processor, and a service administration. The multi-service control point receives an input extracted from an input ATM setup message that includes a called party phone number value and a VToA designator, and generates an output in response for use in generating an output ATM setup message. The ATM signaling intercept processor intercepts the input ATM setup message from an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network (which is an edge switch that receives ATM cells or messages into the ATM network, as opposed to an edge switch where ATM cells or messages leave the ATM network), extracts the input from the input ATM setup message, communicates the input to the multi-service control point, receives the output generated by the multi-service control point, generates the output ATM setup message using the output, and communicates the output ATM setup message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network. The service administration provisions the multi-service control point and the ATM signaling intercept processor.[0010]
• According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing VToA using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network is provided. The method includes intercepting an input ATM setup message from an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, extracting information from the input ATM setup message, and analyzing the information to determine if the input ATM setup message is a request to set up an SVC for VToA. The method further includes determining an ATM address of a called party CPE, generating an output ATM setup message that includes the ATM address of a called party CPE, and communicating the output ATM setup message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network.[0011]
• The present invention provides a profusion of technical advantages that include the capability to efficiently and effectively provide advanced telephony services and functions to VToA through an intelligent network. This can substantially increase overall VToA performance and make VToA much more attractive to customers looking to seamlessly and efficiently integrate both data and voice over the same ATM network to achieve substantial savings, but still retain advance telephony capabilities.[0012]
• Another technical advantage of the present invention includes the capability to utilize an ATM network to provide advanced telephony functions, while efficiently using ATM bandwidth by setting up SVCs to handle phone calls and releasing this bandwidth when the phone call has ended. This results in efficient utilization of ATM bandwidth and may save capital costs by reducing the amount of bandwidth needed.[0013]
• Yet another technical advantage of the present invention includes the capability to control ATM telephony or voice routing tables in a central location and in the intelligent network layer, as opposed to the prior technique, defined by the various ATM standards bodies, to control ATM telephony at the end points. This significantly reduces overall costs to operate a telecommunications network to support VToA, and significantly reduces the opportunity for erroneous information entering the network. This advantage is achieved by separating the ATM intelligence from the ATM switching.[0014]
• Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.[0015]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which:[0016]
• FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a telecommunications network for providing VToA services using an ATM switched virtual circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;[0017]
• FIG. 2 is a line diagram that illustrates the signaling and call flow performed by the intelligent network for a VToA call, including the setup, connect, and release portions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;[0018]
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates an intelligent network used at the ingress side of an ATM network for providing VToA services using an ATM switched virtual circuit;[0019]
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates the intelligent network used at the egress side of the ATM network for providing VToA services using an ATM switched virtual circuit;[0020]
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for providing VToA using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network; and[0021]
• FIGS. 6[0022]aand6bare flowcharts that illustrate a method for providing VToA using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network, according to another aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of the present invention is illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present invention should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein.[0023]
• FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a[0024]telecommunications network10, which also may be referred to as an intelligent ATM network or as a Smart Bandwidth on Command (“SBoC”) network, for providing Voice Telephony over ATM (“VToA”) services using an ATM Switched Virtual Circuit (“SVC”) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thetelecommunications network10 includes anintelligent network12, which also may be referred to as an intelligent network layer, in communication with anATM edge switch14 and anATM edge switch16 of anATM network18. A callingparty location20 is illustrated in communication with theATM edge switch14, and a calledparty location22 is shown in communication with theATM edge switch16.
• The[0025]intelligent network12 is operable to intercept and process ATM signaling messages provided to theATM edge switch14 and theATM edge switch16. This architecture allows theintelligent network12 to provide various telephony features and services, including advanced telephony features and services, to VToA provided over an ATM network, such as theATM network18, through an SVC.
• It should be noted that the[0026]ATM edge switch14 and theATM edge switch16 may be considered to be part of theATM network18. Of course, theATM network18 may include any of a variety of ATM switches and/or ATM network elements or devices and may geographically span or cover virtually any region. The ATM switches of theATM network18, including theATM edge switch14 and theATM edge switch16, may be provided by any of a number of ATM switch manufacturers, such as, for example, NEWBRIDGE and ALCATEL. Of course, multiple connections can be provided to theATM network18 through any of a variety of edge switches, such as at theATM edge switch14. In order to simplify the illustration of the present invention, including the illustration of setting up a VToA call originating from a calling party, only two connections to theATM network18 are illustrated in FIG. 1 and include the callingparty location20 and the calledparty location22.
• The calling[0027]party location20 and the calledparty location22 may include any of a variety of end-user devices and Customer Premises Equipment (“CPE”). For example, the callingparty location20, which could be referred to as an ingress location since this is the calling location, includes atelephony device24 and aCPE26. Similarly, the calledparty location22 is illustrated with atelephony device28 and aCPE30.
• Of course, any of a number of arrangements may be provided at the calling[0028]party location20 and the calledparty location22. In one embodiment, these locations may also include Data Communications Equipment (“DCE”) to support traditional ATM data communications. As is apparent, the capability to communicate both data and voice over the same ATM network provides significant advantages and conveniences that normally result in substantial savings. This arrangement in combination with the present invention allows both VToA calls, with intelligent network features and services provided or controlled by theintelligent network12, and ATM data transfers to be supported using the same ATM network, such as theATM network18. For example, a business enterprise that has multiple locations may significantly benefit by providing voice communications, with intelligent networking features, using VToA and data communications all through the same ATM network.
• In one embodiment, the[0029]telephony device24 and thetelephony device28 may be provided as a telephone, a personal computer, a computer network, answering machine, video conferencing equipment, or any of a variety of other devices operable to support or provide telephony functionality. TheCPE26 and theCPE30 may be implemented using any of a number of devices. For example, and without limitation, theCPE26 and theCPE30 may be implemented as a router, a PBX with ATM signaling capability, an enterprise gateway, or a network gateway. TheCPE26 and theCPE30 may be implemented, in one embodiment, using a CPE device provided by ACCELERATED NETWORKS.
• The communications link between the ATM edge switch and the calling party or called party location may be provided using any number of available links, such as dedicated links or leased lines. According to an aspect of the present invention, whenever a customer location desires to set up or establish an SVC to support VToA, a signaling ATM message, such as an ATM setup message, is provided from the customer location to the associated ATM edge switch of the[0030]ATM network18. For example, if the callingparty location20 desires to establish an SVC through theATM network18, an ATM setup message may be sent from the callingparty location20 to theATM edge switch14. This ATM setup message may be used to designate that this SVC is being setup or established to provide VToA. In one embodiment, an ATM setup message is sent from the callingparty location20 to theATM edge switch14 using a predefined or predetermined protocol such that a designated value, which may be referred to as a VToA designator, is included in the content or payload of the ATM setup message to indicate that this SVC is being set up or established to support VToA.
• In one embodiment, the[0031]telephony device24 is provided as a telephone or personal computer with telephony software, and theCPE26 is provided as an enterprise gateway that is provisioned with a special ATM address to identify theCPE26 as an ATM device. An ATM setup message may be generated by a calling party by using thetelephony device24 to enter a phone number, which may be referred to as a called party phone number value. TheCPE26 generates the ATM setup message, which may be referred to as an input ATM setup message, in response to initiate an SVC for VToA by saving various values in the content of the ATM setup message.
• The content may be stored in an ATM setup message using various designated areas, which may be referred to as fields, addresses or parameters. The content that is stored in each such parameter may be referred to as a value. An example of some of the parameters that may be present in an ATM setup message is provided in the following table:[0032]

  ATM SET UP MESSAGE
  PARAMETERS

  	Called Party Number
  	Called Party Subaddress
  	Calling Party Number
  	Calling Party Subaddress

• In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ATM address of the[0033]CPE26, which may be referred to as the ATM address of the calling party CPE, is stored in the ATM setup message as the calling party number parameter, the telephone number associated with thetelephony device24, which may be referred to as the calling party phone number value, is stored in the ATM setup message as the calling party subaddress parameter, a special or designated number or address, which may be referred to as the VToA designator, is stored in the called party number of the ATM setup message, and the dialed or called telephone number, which may be referred to as the called party phone number value, is stored in the called party subaddress of the ATM setup message.
• This input ATM setup message is then provided to the[0034]ATM network18 at theATM edge switch14. In essence, this ATM setup message instructs theATM network18 to setup an SVC between the ATM address of theCPE26 and the special or designated ATM address that is provided as the called party number of the ATM setup message. This special or designated ATM address or number may also be referred to as a VToA designator. This is a predetermined or predefined number which will be used by theintelligent network12 to indicate that this setup message request for an SVC is to provide VToA and hence the advance telephony services or features of the present invention should be applied by theintelligent network12.
• The input ATM setup message is received at the[0035]ATM edge switch14. TheATM edge switch14, just like theATM edge switch16, may be thought of as divided into two portions, a device side portion and a network side portion. The device side is the side where a customer or client interfaces, generally through a CPE, with theATM network18. Signaling messages received at the device side of theATM switch14 from theCPE26 are intercepted by theintelligent network12. Theintelligent network12, which will be described more fully below in connection with FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 and 4, receives the input ATM setup message generated by theCPE26 and analyzes its contents. From this analysis, the presence of the VToA designator, which in one embodiment may be stored in the called party number parameter of the ATM setup message, indicates that this input ATM setup message is a request to setup an SVC for VToA.
• Once it is determined that the signaling message is a request to setup or establish an SVC for VToA, the[0036]intelligent network12 will, preferably, perform as much processing as possible on the ATM setup message at the ingress ATM edge switch. Before discussing some of the various intelligent network services or features that may be provided by the present invention, the processing of the input ATM setup message is discussed. In one embodiment, theintelligent network12 locates the called party phone number value and performs a table search or “look-up” to determine a corresponding ATM address, such as the ATM address for a destination CPE or device, such as a termination gateway, an enterprise gateway or a network gateway. This ATM address may be referred to as the ATM address of the called party CPE. In a preferred embodiment, the called party phone number value is retrieved from the called party subaddress parameter to perform the necessary functions to find the associated destination ATM address. Once located, this destination ATM address may be provided so that a modified or output ATM setup message may be generated to establish an SVC to support VToA from theCPE26 to the destination ATM device. In a preferred embodiment, the calling party phone number value is stored in the calling party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message, and the ATM address of the calling party CPE or device is stored in the calling party number parameter of the input ATM setup message.
• When a VToA call originates from the calling[0037]party location20 and terminates at the calledparty location22, theATM edge switch14 may be referred to as the ingress ATM switch while theATM edge switch16 may be referred to as the egress ATM edge switch. Generally, each such ATM edge switch may function as either an ingress or an egress ATM edge switch.
• The output ATM setup message is transmitted from the[0038]intelligent network12 to the network side of theATM edge switch14 where it is sent to theATM network18. The output ATM setup message is transmitted through the ATM network until it arrives at the network side of theATM edge switch16. Theintelligent network12 intercepts and processes this ATM message and, generally, will provide the ATM message back to the device side of theATM edge switch16 at the appropriate port so that it will be communicated to theCPE30 of the calledparty location22. If theintelligent network12 modifies or changes the output ATM setup message, the resulting ATM message may be referred to as a destination or gateway ATM setup message.
• A preferred embodiment of an implementation of the[0039]intelligent network12 is provided next. Theintelligent network12, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an ATM signaling intercept processor (“ASIP”)40, which is associated with theATM edge switch14 that is shown serving as an ingress ATM edge switch, anASIP42, which is associated with theATM edge switch16 that is shown serving as an egress switch, a multi-service control point (“MSCP”)44 in communication with theASIP40, anMSCP46 in communication with theASIP42, and aservice administration48. Theservice administration48, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, is operable to provision theASIP40, theMSCP44, theASIP42, and theMSCP46. In provisioning these elements of theintelligent network12, theservice administration48 will, preferably, provide user interfaces to each such element. In a preferred embodiment, theservice administration48 also maintains a database of record, which may be the same as or similar to the database shown in theMSCP44 and theMSCP46.
• The[0040]ASIP40 and theASIP42 will generally be associated with a designated ATM edge switch, such as theATM edge switch14 and theATM edge switch16. The MSCPs, such as theMSCP44 and theMSCP46, may interface or work in conjunction with one or more ASIPS. In an alternative embodiment, one MSCP interfaces and works with all ASIPs of theintelligent network12. All of the MSCPs of theintelligent network12 may provide the same or essentially the same functionality.
• The[0041]ASIP40 and theASIP42, generally, function to intercept ATM signaling messages, such as an ATM setup message, an ATM connect message, and an ATM release message. TheASIP40 and theASIP42 intercept and process ATM signaling messages from the associated switch whether the signaling messages are provided from the device side or from the network side of the associated ATM edge switch. It should be noted that theASIP40 and theASIP42 are both capable of or operable to receive signaling messages provided through their associated ATM edge switch in either direction. For example, although the call setup illustrated in FIG. 1 illustrates a VToA call that originates at the callingparty location20 and terminates at the calledparty location22, theASIP40 and theASIP42 perform their functions when the ATM signaling messages are traveling in the opposite direction, such as if the calledparty location22 originates a VToA call through an SVC to the callingparty location20. Once the ATM signaling message, such as the input ATM setup message, is intercepted, an input is generated by the ASIP and the input is provided to the associated MSCP, such as theMSCP44 and theMSCP46.
• The[0042]MSCP44 and theMSCP46 both contain various applications that can provide intelligent network and even advanced intelligent network VToA services and features. The applications will preferably be provided as software applications that provide the desired logic and algorithms to achieve the desired intelligent network service or feature. In performing these various services and features, the MSCPs must access various information that may include, for example, ATM addresses, associated telephone numbers, customer profiles, user profiles, and any of a variety of other needed information to support or provide the desired service and feature.
• As a result of the processing performed by the[0043]MSCP44 and theMSCP46, an output is generated. The output is then provided back down, as represented by the arrows extending from the MSCPs to their associated ASIPs, so that theASIP40 and theASIP42 may assemble the output to generate a resulting ATM message. The ASIP, in a preferred embodiment, also provides call modeling functionality that allows multiple calls to be modeled.
• To illustrate the operation of the[0044]intelligent network12 to provide intelligent network functionality to thetelecommunications network10 and theATM network18, the establishment of an SVC for VToA is illustrated next. Assuming that the callingparty location20 initiates the establishment or setup of an ATM SVC for VToA with thetelephony device28 of the calledparty location22, theCPE26 of the callingparty location20 responds to the request by thetelephony device24 to setup a phone call. TheCPE26 generates an input ATM setup message and provides this input ATM setup message to theATM edge switch14. TheATM edge switch14 may be thought of as having a device side portion and a network side portion, just like theATM edge switch16. The input ATM setup message is received at the device side of theATM edge switch14 and is intercepted by theASIP40.
• The[0045]ASIP40 processes the input ATM setup message and, using one or more of the various values that may be stored within or in association with the input ATM setup message, generates an input. The input is then communicated or provided to theMSCP44. TheMSCP44 may provide any number of telephony services and features. TheMSCP44, however, must analyze the input to determine if the input ATM setup message is a request for an SVC for VToA. In a preferred embodiment, a predefined or predetermined value is stored within the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message. The value provided within this called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message is analyzed to determine if the input ATM setup message is requesting an SVC for VToA. In one embodiment, the value stored within the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message may be referred to as a VToA designator, i.e., designating that the input ATM setup message is a request for an SVC for VToA. It should be understood, however, that any of a variety of ATM setup messages parameters may be used to provide this functionality. TheCPE26, which originally generated the input ATM setup message, will store the appropriate VToA designator value within the appropriate parameter, such as the called party number parameter, when generating the input ATM setup message so that the appropriate MSCP associated with the ingress ATM edge switch will recognize the input ATM setup message as one requesting an SVC for VToA.
• If the VToA designator is not found, the[0046]MSCP44 will provide an output to theASIP40 and the ATM setup message will continue as if a request is being made to establish or setup an SVC for a data transfer. If the VToA designator is found, additional service and feature processing may proceed. In order for the SVC for VToA to be established, a called party phone number value, which will be included as part of the input from theASIP40, will need to correlated by theMSCP44 with a corresponding value that is equal to the ATM address of the called party CPE, which is in this case is theCPE30. If the called party phone number value is not found, the call may fail or be rejected. The ATM address of the called party CPE and the called party phone number value, along with any other values generated as a result of the processing that may have occurred through any of a variety of services and features that may be provided by theMSCP44, results in theMSCP44 generating an output. The output is received and used by theASIP40 to generate or assemble an output ATM setup message.
• The output ATM setup message may then be provided to the network side of the[0047]ATM edge switch14 where it is then routed through theATM network18 using traditional or available ATM protocols until the output ATM setup message is received at the network side of theATM edge switch16. Of course, theATM network18 may include any of a variety or any number of ATM switches, such as the ATM switches18a,18b,18c, and18d. It should also be noted that any number of additional ATM edge switches may be connected to theATM network18 through virtually any available ATM switch or ATM network element.
• The output ATM setup message is received at the network side of the[0048]ATM edge switch16 where theASIP42 intercepts the signaling message and generates an input. The input is provided from theASIP42 to theMSCP46. TheMSCP46, similar to theMSCP44, analyzes the input to determine what, if any, processing is needed. In this case, theMSCP46 finds the ATM address of the called party CPE, which in this case is theCPE30, in the input and provides appropriate routing information and generates a corresponding output of theMSCP46. Of course, various other processing may also occur, depending on the particular feature or service.
• The[0049]ASIP42 receives the output from theMSCP46 and generates or assembles another setup message. In one embodiment, the resulting ATM setup message may be referred to as a destination or gateway ATM setup message since it will ultimately be provided to theCPE30, which may be implemented as an enterprise gateway, a network gateway or any of a variety of telephony access devices. If the output ATM setup message is not changed by the output from theMSCP46, the resulting ATM setup message may still be referred to as the output ATM setup message and it is provided to the device side of theATM edge switch16, just like any destination or gateway setup message, where it is then provided to theCPE30.
• At the[0050]CPE30, the appropriate telephony device, in thiscase telephony device28, is contacted so that a call may be established or setup. In response, theCPE30 may generate an ATM connection message or any other ATM signaling message which is available and would be known of ordinary skill in the art. For example an ATM connection message and an ATM release message may be generated during this VToA call.
• FIG. 2 is a line diagram[0051]100 that illustrates the signaling and call flow performed by the intelligent network for a VToA call, including the setup, connect, and release portions of the VToA call, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The VToA call is achieved through the use of aningress device102, an ingressATM edge switch104, aningress ASIP106, andingress MSCP108, anATM network110, an egressATM edge switch112, anegress ASIP114, anegress MSCP116, and anegress device118. Starting in the upper lefthand portion of FIG. 2, an input ATM setup message is generated and provided from theingress device102 to the ingressATM edge switch104.
• The[0052]ingress device102 may be any of a variety of devices such as theCPE26 of FIG. 1, a router, a PBX, a telephony access device, or a gateway, such as an enterprise gateway or a network gateway to provide access to the Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”). Generally, theingress device102 must simply have the capability to generate an input ATM setup message that includes a VToA designator stored in the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message (or other location or parameter depending on the intelligent network design), and a called party phone number value stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message. In other embodiments, the input ATM setup message may also contain the value of the ATM address of the calling party CPE and the calling party phone number value. In such a case, these values are preferably stored in the calling party number parameter and the calling party subaddress parameter, respectively, of the input ATM setup message.Line120 represents the communication of the input ATM setup message from theingress device102 to the ingressATM edge switch104.
• It should be noted that the line diagram[0053]100 illustrates only the basic signaling and call flow of a VToA call. Other signals or messages, which would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and normally provided automatically as part of one or more ATM specifications, may include various acknowledgment signals or messages, such as connect acknowledge, a call proceeding message, and a release complete message.
• The ingress[0054]ATM edge switch104 receives the input ATM setup message and communicates it to theingress ASIP106 as represented by aline122. Theingress ASIP106 provides various values and addresses contained within various parameters of the input ATM setup message and provides those values to theingress MSCP108 as shown in aline124. For example, theingress ASIP106 may provide the VToA designator, which may be stored in the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message, and the called party phone number value, which may be stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message, to theingress MSCP108. The VToA designator is used in the present invention to indicate that a setup message is requesting to set up an SVC for VToA.
• After the[0055]ingress MSCP108 confirms, by analyzing the value of the VToA designator, that an SVC for VToA is requested, theingress MSCP108 may perform any of a variety of advanced telephony functions to provide VToA services and features as desired or requested. If a VToA designator is not found by theMSCP108 during setup, an ATM data call may be assumed. Theingress MSCP108 may provide any of a variety of advanced telephony functions to provide VToA services and features. Example of some of these services and features include Default Calling Party Number Handling (“DCH”), Source Address Validation (“SAV”), Customer Port Maximum Call Attempt Rate Limit (“CMR”), Closed User Group (“CUG”), Destination Address Screening (“DAS”), Source Address Screening (“SAS”), Customer Port Maximum Burst Size Limit (“CMDS”), Customer Port Aggregate Bandwidth Limit (“CBW”), Customer Port Maximum Concurrent Calls in Progress Limit (“CMC”), Private Address Translation (“PAT”), Customer Port Service Class Selection (“CSCS”), and Point-to-Multipoint, Root-Initiated Connections (“P2MR”). Preferably, most of the intelligent network features and processing are performed at theingress MSCP108. In some cases, such as, for example, PAT, additional intelligent networking service or feature processing must be performed at other locations, such as theegress MSCP116.
• A brief summary of the calling services and features mentioned above is provided. DCH provides logic to handle input ATM setup messages in which a calling party phone number value is not provided. In such a case, the DCH feature may substitute a default calling party phone number value. SAV determines whether a user is requesting a call through an authorized or proper port. VToA privileges may be given on a per port basis, and the SAV feature may insure that only authorized users are allowed to access the ATM network through particular network ports, such as a physical port or a Customer Logic Port (“CLP”). CMR may be used to verify that the number of access attempts at a CLP does not exceed a provisioned or predetermined rate.[0056]
• The CUG feature allows various users of an enterprise or customer to be partitioned into defined user groups. This allows various policies or privileges to be enforced on a group basis. A basic feature of CUG is to provide the capability to restrict calls to other users outside of the CUG or within certain other closed user groups. The DAS and SAS services or features provide call-screening lists that allow either the originating party or the terminating party to define the addresses to which calls can be made or from which calls can be received, respectively. In one embodiment, two types of call-screening lists may be supported for each user or subscriber that include a group list and a user list. This allows these services or features to be provided either on a group basis, an individual user basis, or both. The CMBS and CBW services or features provide a mechanism in which burst-size and bandwidth requests may be limited. This may prevent a few users from allocating large amounts of bandwidth and ATM network capability at the expense of other users. Similarly, the CMC feature limits the number of connections through a particular port.[0057]
• The PAT service provides the significant advantage of allowing a customer to keep its own ATM numbering or addressing scheme. PAT is an example of a feature that requires ATM intelligent network processing, according to an embodiment of the present invention, at both the ingress ATM edge switch and the egress ATM edge switch. The CSCS feature provides a mechanism to configure the service classes available for a particular customer, which may be set up through an individual CLP. As an example, CSCS may support the capability to configure various classes of service such as Continuous Bit Rate (“CBR”), Variable Bit Rate, Non-Real Time (“VBR-NRT”), Variable Bit Rate, Real Time (“VBR RT”), Unspecified Bit Rate (“UBR”), and Available Bit Rate (“ABR”). The P[0058]2MR feature or service allows for point-to-multipoint VToA to be provided using an SVC. These types of connections are unidirectional and, just as with point-to-point connections, can support virtually any type of content such as voice or video.
• Referring back to FIG. 2, the[0059]ingress MSCP108 will provide any of a number of various features, such as those just described, by performing any of a number of database or table queries and executing any of a number of applications or algorithms. As a result, theingress MSCP108 provides an output back to theingress ASIP106 as represented by theline126. This output will be used by theingress ASIP106 to generate an output ATM setup message. The output will normally include an ATM address of the called party CPE. The CPE may be implemented as, for example, an enterprise gateway, a network gateway, or virtually any other telephony access device. Theingress ASIP106 assembles or generates the output ATM setup message and provides this message to the ingressATM edge switch104 as represented by aline128 of FIG. 2.
• The output ATM setup message then passes through the[0060]ATM network110 until it reaches the egressATM edge switch112. This is represented by aline130. Similar to how the input ATM setup message was processed by the ingress devices, the egress devices process the output ATM setup message. Initially, the output ATM setup message is intercepted by theegress ASIP114 once it reaches the egressATM edge switch112. This is represented by aline132.
• The[0061]egress ASIP114 transfers various input values from the output ATM setup message to theegress MSCP116. Theegress MSCP116 may provide various processing, but as mentioned above, most of the intelligent network service or feature processing will, preferably, be performed at the ingress side. The egress MSCP, in one embodiment, receives the ATM address of called party CPE and determines which port of the egressATM edge switch112 the setup message should be provided so that it may be communicated to theegress device118. Theegress MSCP116, depending on the processing performed, may modify the input provided from theegress ASIP114 and generate an output that is provided back to theegress ASIP114, which is represented by aline136 in FIG. 2.
• The[0062]egress MSCP116 may provide various applications, logic, and the like to carry out any of a variety of advanced intelligent network features. Theegress MSCP116 may contain various data provided in tables or databases, or have the capability to access data external to theegress MSCP116. It should also be noted that the features or services provided by theegress MSCP116 and theingress MSCP108 may be achieved by the same MSCP. The ASIPs, however, will generally be associated or dedicated to each ATM edge switch that the ASIP serves. It should also be noted that although theegress MSCP116 is shown in FIG. 2 serving as anegress device118, whenever theegress device118 originates an SVC for VToA over theATM network110, theegress MSCP116 will generally function as just described for theingress MSCP108.
• The[0063]egress device118, just as with theingress device102 described above, may be virtually any available CPE device such as, for example, an enterprise gateway, a network gateway, or a telephony access device. If theegress device118 is an enterprise gateway, theegress MSCP116 will generally not modify the input provided to it from theegress ASIP114 and thus theegress ASIP114 will receive an output from theegress MSCP116 that is the same or similar as the input. In such a case, the output ATM setup message is provided to the egressATM edge switch112 where it is then provided to theegress device118 to establish an SVC for VToA. This is represented bylines138 and140.
• If the[0064]egress device118 is a network gateway, or some similar device, theegress MSCP116 may perform database operations to properly route the setup message to theegress device118. In such a case, theegress MSCP116 generates appropriate output and provides this output to theegress ASIP114, as represented by theline136. Theegress ASIP114 then assembles or generates another ATM setup message, which may be referred to as a destination or gateway ATM setup message, and provides this setup message to the egressATM edge switch112, which then provides such message to theegress device118. This is represented bylines138 and140.
• Once a party answers a telephony device, the[0065]egress device118 generates an ATM connect message. This connect message is illustrated in FIG. 2 by lines142-162. The ATM connect message propagates through theATM network110 until a connection is made between theingress device102 and theegress device118. The ATM connection message is processed, similar to the ATM setup message, such that the ingress and egress ASIPs and MSCPs intercept and analyze each such signaling messages. At this point, an SVC has been established between theingress device102 and theegress device118 through theATM network110 to provide VToA with intelligent network services and features. The MSCP and the ASIP may also provide call modeling to track various calls.
• Once a party desires to end the call, which can come from either the[0066]ingress device102 or theegress device118, an ATM release message is generated. In FIG. 2, this ATM release message is generated by theingress device102. This proceeds similar to the connect and setup messages and is illustrated in FIG. 2 by the lines164-186. This ends the VToA call.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates an[0067]intelligent network300 used at the ingress side of an ATM network for providing VToA services using an ATM switched virtual circuit. Theintelligent network300 includes anASIP302, anMSCP304, and aservice administration306. A remote,external database308 is also shown in FIG. 3 with a communications link with theMSCP304. Thedatabase308 is provided to illustrate the fact that theMSCP304 may rely on external databases or tables. Theservice administration306 may also contain various tables or databases that theMSCP304 accesses or that is provided to theMSCP304 as a database of record.
• The[0068]ASIP302 interfaces with an ATM edge switch, not shown in FIG. 3, and is capable of intercepting and receiving ATM message signals, such as ATM setup, connect, and release messages. When the ATM edge switch serves as the ingress ATM edge switch, theASIP302 receives ATM signaling messages from the device side of the ingress ATM edge switch. To establish an SVC to provide VToA, the ingress ATM edge switch provides an input ATM setup message from its device side to theASIP302. In addition to the functions described next, theASIP302 may also provide call modeling functionality. TheASIP302 receives the input ATM setup message and, in one embodiment, extracts various information, such as the called party phone number value and the VToA designator, and communicates this information to theMSCP304 as an input. The communications link between theMSCP304 and theASIP302 may be a local connection or it may be a remote or long distance link. In one embodiment, the called party phone number value is stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message and the VToA designator is stored in the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message.
• The[0069]MSCP304, which also may be referred to as a policy server, includesvarious applications310 and adatabase312. Theapplications310 may include any of a variety of software programs, logic, and algorithms that serve to provide VToA services and features. Thedatabase312 may include any of a variety of tables and information useful to provide VToA services and features.
• The[0070]service administration306 is capable of provisioning theMSCP304, and in some embodiments, theASIP302. Theservice administration306 may control or synchronize multiple MSCPs ensure that data or information in various MSCPs of the ATM network are coordinated and consistent.
• The[0071]MSCP304 receives the input from theASIP302 and can provide any number of VToA services and features. In order to establish an SVC for VToA, theMSCP304 must determine if the input, provided by theASIP302 from the input ATM setup message, is a request to establish an SVC for VToA. If not, processing of an ATM data call proceeds. TheMSCP304, in a preferred embodiment, determines that the input ATM setup message is requesting an SVC to establish VToA by looking for the presence of the VToA designator. If present, theMSCP304 uses thedatabase312 to determine the ATM address of the called party CPE using the called party phone number value provided as an input from theASIP302. TheMSCP304 may provide any of a variety of additional services and features, such as those described above in connection with FIG. 2, and will, generally, use theapplications310 and thedatabase312 to achieve these services and features. TheMSCP304 generates an output in response to the processing just described and communicates this output to theASIP302. If a VToA is to be set up, the output will generally include at least the called party phone number value and the ATM address of the called party CPE.
• To illustrate some of the processing that may be performed by the[0072]MSCP304 on the input provided by theASIP302, the following examples are provided. Assuming that an ATM address of the calling party CPE is provided as part of the input ATM setup message, and preferably as the calling party number parameter, theASIP302 may provide this as an input toMSCP304. The value of this address is then used to determine what services or features are available for this particular address. TheMSCP304 may also, by examining the value of the called party phone number value provided in the called party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message, determine or perform database queries to determine if the requested call is to a private number, a long distance or international number, a local number, an emergency number, etc. In a preferred embodiment, this is performed using various tables, which may be provided in thedatabase312, and by examination of the prefix digits of the called party phone number value. TheMSCP304 may also remove or add prefix or suffix digits to the called party phone number value. The result of any such prefix/suffix manipulation results in a revised called party phone number value. This revised number may then be used to determine a corresponding ATM address of the called party CPE.
• The[0073]MSCP304 may also, depending on the features and capabilities associated with one or more of the calling party phone number value, the ATM address of the calling party CPE, and the called party phone number value, consult a database or table of provisioned information to determine whether the called party phone number value should be translated to some other phone number and whether permission to make such a call is available. For example, the destination party may have forwarded their phone number to another phone number. In such a case, theMSCP304 may determine that the called party phone number value should be translated to another called party phone number value. In such a case, theMSCP304 may request whether the calling party has permission or sufficient rights to place a call to the translated or forwarded called party phone number.
• As a result of the various manipulations and features and services provided by the[0074]MSCP304, an output is provided to theASIP302. TheASIP302 assembles or generates an output ATM setup message using the output from theMSCP304. In a preferred embodiment, the resulting called party phone number value is stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the output ATM setup message, and the original calling party phone number value is stored in the calling party subaddress of the output ATM setup message. In addition, the output ATM setup message may include the ATM address of the calling party CPE stored in the calling party number parameter, and the calling party phone number value stored in the calling party subaddress. As an example, the following two tables illustrate various parameters and corresponding values or addresses of the input ATM setup message and the output ATM setup message.

  INPUT ATM SETUP MESSAGE

  	PARAMETERS	VALUE
  	Called Party Number	VToA designator
  	Called Party Subaddress	called party phone number
  		value
  	Calling Party Number	ATM address of the calling
  		party CPE
  	Calling Party Subaddress	calling party phone number
  		value

• [0075]

  OUTPUT ATM SETUP MESSAGE

  	PARAMETERS	VALUE
  	Called Party Number	ATM address of the called
  		party CPE Called
  	Party Subaddress	called party phone number
  		value
  	Calling Party Number	ATM address of the calling
  		party CPE
  	Calling Party Subaddress	calling party phone number
  		value

• The[0076]ASIP302 provides the output ATM setup message to the ATM network side of the ATM ingress edge switch where the output ATM setup message is provided to the ATM network and eventually delivered at the appropriate egress ATM edge switch to establish the SVC for VToA.
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates the[0077]intelligent network300 used at the egress side of the ATM network, such as theATM network18 of FIG. 1, for providing VToA services and features using an ATM switched virtual circuit. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, theASIP302 and theMSCP304 may provide intelligent network services and features to an ATM edge switch serving as an ingress ATM edge switch and an egress ATM edge switch, depending on how a VToA call is established.
• When serving the associated ATM edge switch that is functioning as an egress switch, the[0078]intelligent network300 receives the output ATM setup message from the ATM network. As mentioned above, the egress ATM edge switch may be considered part of the ATM network. The egress ATM edge switch provides the output ATM setup message to theASIP302.
• The[0079]ASIP302 intercepts the output ATM setup message from the egress ATM edge switch and generates or extracts an input to provide to theMSCP304. This input may include any of a variety of values provided by the output ATM setup message. For example, the input may include the ATM address of the called party CPE.
• At the egress side, the MSCP determines the appropriate port or CLP of the egress ATM edge switch in which to route the ATM setup message. The[0080]MSCP304, however, may provide any of a variety of services and features, and may provide additional routing information.
• In the event that the[0081]MSCP304 generates an output such that theASIP302 assembles or generates an ATM setup message that is different from the output ATM setup message, this new ATM setup message may be referred to as a destination or gateway ATM setup message. In any event, theASIP302 provides the ATM setup message to the device side of the egress ATM edge switch so that the ATM setup message may be provided to the appropriate CPE. Of course, the CPE may be provided as any number of devices such as an enterprise gateway, a network gateway, or various other telephony equipment. The CPE will generally interpret the ATM setup message by looking at the called party phone number value stored, preferably, in the called party subaddress parameter of the ATM setup message to determine how to make the final connection to the appropriate telephony device.
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates a[0082]method500 for providing VToA using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network. Themethod500 starts at502 and proceeds to block504 where an input ATM setup message is intercepted from an ingress ATM edge switch of an ATM network. In a preferred embodiment, the input ATM setup message is intercepted from a device side of the ingress ATM edge switch.
• The[0083]method500 proceeds next to block506 where information is extracted from the input ATM setup message. This may include any of various information that is provided in various parameters or fields of the input ATM setup message. For example, a VToA designator and a called party phone number value may be extracted from the input ATM setup message.
• The[0084]method500 proceeds next to block508 where the information is analyzed to determine if the input ATM setup message is requesting to establish an SVC for VToA. If so, further processing occurs as will be described next in another embodiment. The analysis performed inblock508 may, for example, include comparing the value or address provided in the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message. In a preferred embodiment, the VToA designator will be stored in the called party number parameter of the input ATM message.
• Proceeding next to block[0085]510, an ATM address of a called party CPE is determined or located. In a preferred embodiment, the called party phone number value will be stored in the called party subaddress of the input ATM setup message such that this information can be located. Once located, the called party phone number value is correlated with a corresponding ATM address of the called party CPE.
• In an alternative embodiment, the[0086]method500 may, preferably using the intelligent network, determine that the called party phone number should be translated, forwarded, or associated with another called party phone number. In such a case, themethod500 will determine the “new” called party phone number and its corresponding ATM address. In such a case, this ATM address will serve as the ATM address of the called party CPE.
• The[0087]method500 proceeds next to block512, where an output ATM setup message is generated that includes the ATM address of the called party CPE, which was just discussed above in connection withblock510. It should also be noted that any of a variety of intelligent network telephony services and features may be provided at or beforeblock512. It should also be noted that a calling party phone number value and an ATM address of calling party CPE may also be provided in the input ATM setup message, as part of the information generated atblock506, and in determining how such intelligent network VToA services and features should be carried out. Atblock512, the called party phone number value will also, preferably, be provided as part of the output ATM setup message that is generated.
• Proceeding next to block[0088]514, the output ATM setup message is communicated to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network. In a preferred embodiment, the output ATM setup message is received at a network side of the ingress ATM edge switch. The output ATM setup message is then routed or communicated through the ATM network until it reaches a corresponding egress ATM edge switch for completion of the VToA call. Themethod500 ends atblock516.
• In a preferred embodiment, the[0089]blocks504,506 and512 are performed using an ATM signaling intercept processor. Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, the analysis performed in theblocks508 and510 and any applicable intelligent network VToA services and features are performed using a multi-service control point. Although not required, in a preferred embodiment, the input ATM setup message will include the VToA designator stored in the called party number parameter, the called party phone number value stores in the called party subaddress parameter, the ATM address of the calling party CPE stored in the calling party number, and the calling party phone number value stored in the calling party subaddress parameter. Similarly, the output ATM setup message will include the ATM address of the called party CPE stored in the called party number parameter, the called party phone number value stored in the called party subaddress parameter, the ATM address of calling party CPE stored in the calling party number, and the calling party phone number value stored in the calling party subaddress.
• FIGS. 6[0090]aand6bare flowcharts that illustrate amethod600 for providing VToA using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network, according to another aspect of the present invention. Themethod600 begins atblock602 and proceeds to block604. At block604 a request to make a VToA call is received at an ingress CPE that includes a called party phone number value. In one embodiment, a telephone or computer configured with telephony software is used to request a VToA call that is received at the CPE, which may be implemented in one embodiment as an enterprise gateway. Thus, the enterprise gateway would receive the request to make the VToA call from the telephony device.
• At[0091]block606, an input ATM setup message is generated at the CPE. Although any of a variety of values may be generated in connection with the input ATM setup message, a called party phone number and a VToA designator are stored in designated parameters of the input ATM setup message, as it is generated.
• The[0092]method600 proceeds next to block608 where the input ATM setup message is provided from the CPE and is received at an ingress ATM edge switch. This ingress ATM edge switch may be considered to be part of the ATM network. Atblock610, the input ATM setup message is intercepted from the ingress ATM edge switch. This will preferably be achieved using an ATM signaling intercept processor.
• The[0093]method600 proceeds next to block612 where information is extracted from the input ATM setup message. Generally, this information will include the VToA designator and the called party phone number, which were stored and/or generated with the input ATM setup message atblock606. In a preferred embodiment, the VToA designator value will be stored in the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message and the called party phone number value will be stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message. In a preferred embodiment, the acts described inblock612 may be performed by an ATM signaling intercept processor. Once the information has been extracted, themethod600 proceeds next to block614. Atblock614, the information is analyzed to determine if the VToA designator is present. In a preferred embodiment, this will be performed by a multi-service control point. If the VToA designator is found or is present in the information extracted from the input ATM setup message, this indicates that a request is being made for a VToA call using an SVC of the ATM network.
• The[0094]method600 proceeds next to block616 where the ATM address of the called party CPE is determined. This will preferably be accomplished using the called party phone number, which will be included as part of the information extracted from the input ATM setup message, and a database that can be used to correlate the called party phone number with the appropriate ATM address of the called party CPE. This act will preferably be performed by the multi-service control point as well. Before proceeding to block618, it should be noted that any of a variety of known or available intelligent network services and features may be provided at this time. Generally, it is preferable to perform as much processing for such intelligent network services and features at the ingress side of the connection. The available intelligent network services and features may be determined by any of a variety of means such as by a user profile, a group profile, the attributes of the calling party phone number, the attributes of the called party phone number, or the ATM addresses of the ingress and egress CPEs.
• At[0095]block618, an output ATM setup message is generated. This output ATM setup message will preferably include an ATM address of the called party CPE stored in the called party number parameter of the output ATM setup message, and a called party phone number value stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the output ATM setup message. This will preferably be performed by the ATM signaling intercept processor.
• The[0096]method600 proceeds next to block620 where the output ATM setup message is communicated to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network. Atblock622, the output ATM setup message is eventually received at an egress ATM edge switch. At this point, the output ATM setup message will be intercepted by the intelligent network, which will preferably be an ATM signaling intercept processor associated with the egress ATM edge switch. This is indicated inblock624. Themethod600 proceeds next to block628.
• At[0097]block628, information is extracted from the output ATM setup message, and may be referred to as egress information. The egress information will generally include the ATM address of the called party CPE. Atblock630, the ATM setup message is communicated to the egress ATM edge switch, so that the ATM setup message may be communicated to the called party CPE atblock632. It should be noted that the acts performed atblock624 through630 may be performed by an intelligent network, as described throughout. Themethod600 ends atblock634.
• Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, an intelligent network and method for providing VToA that provides improved performance and that satisfies one or more of the advantages set forth above. The present invention provides advanced intelligent network services and features that dramatically increase the attractiveness of using VToA by providing the advanced services and features, with little administrative burden or expense to maintain. Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention, even if all of the advantages identified above are not present. For example, although the focus herein is primarily on VToA, however, application to other packet-switched telecommunications technologies, both individually and collectively, may apply also to any of the technologies mentioned above or similar technologies. Also, the techniques, systems, sub-systems, and methods described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the ATM signaling intercept processor and the multi-service control point may be implemented separately or together, or may by directly coupled to each other or could be coupled through some other interface and are not considered directly coupled to each other but may still be in communication with one another. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.[0098]

Claims (44)

What is claimed is:

1. An intelligent network for use with an ATM network to set up an ATM switched virtual circuit to provide VToA services, the intelligent network comprising:

a multi-service control point operable to receive an input extracted from an input ATM setup message that includes a called party phone number value and a VToA designator, and generate an output in response for use in generating an output ATM setup message;

an ATM signaling intercept processor operable to intercept the input ATM setup message from an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, extract the input from the input ATM setup message, communicate the input to the multi-service control point, receive the output generated by the multi-service control point, generate the output ATM setup message using the output, and communicate the output ATM setup message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network; and

a service administration operable to provision the multi-service control point and the ATM signaling intercept processor.

2. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the input includes a calling party phone number value.

3. The intelligent network ofclaim 2, wherein the input includes an ATM address of the calling party CPE.

4. The intelligent network ofclaim 3, wherein the called party phone number value is stored in a called party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message, the VToA designator is stored in a called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message, the calling party phone number value is stored in a calling party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message, and the ATM address of the calling party CPE is stored in a calling party number parameter of the input ATM setup message.

5. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the called party phone number value is stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message, the VToA designator is stored in the called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message.

6. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the output includes an ATM address of the called party.

7. The intelligent network ofclaim 6, wherein the called party phone number value is stored in the called party subaddress parameter of the output ATM setup message, the ATM address of the called party is stored in the called party number parameter of the output ATM setup message, the calling party phone number value is stored in the calling party subaddress parameter of the output ATM setup message, and the ATM address of the calling party CPE is stored in the calling party number parameter of the output ATM setup message.

8. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point determines if the input ATM setup message requests an SVC for VToA by analyzing the VToA designator portion of the input.

9. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point further includes:

a database that correlates the called party phone number value with an ATM address of the called party CPE, and wherein the multi-service control point includes the ATM address of the called party CPE in the output.

10. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point further includes:

a database that correlates the called party phone number value with a forwarded called party phone number value when the called party phone number value has been forwarded, correlates the forwarded party phone number value with an ATM address of the forwarded party CPE, and wherein the multi-service control point includes the forwarded party phone number value and the ATM address of the forwarded party CPE in the output.

11. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point further includes:

a database that correlates the called party phone number value with a translated called party phone number value when the called party phone number should be translated, correlates the translated party phone number value with an ATM address of the translated party CPE, and wherein the multi-service control point includes the translated party phone number value and the ATM address of the translated party CPE in the output.

12. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point is operable to receive an input extracted from an input ATM connect message and to generate an output in response for use in generating an output ATM connect message, and wherein the ATM signaling intercept processor operable to intercept the input ATM connect message from an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, to extract the input from the input ATM connect message, to communicate the input to the multi-service control point, to receive the output generated by the multi-service control point, to generate the output ATM connect message using the output, and communicate the output ATM signaling message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network.

13. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point is operable to receive an input extracted from an input ATM release message and to generate an output in response for use in generating an output ATM release message, and wherein the ATM signaling intercept processor operable to intercept the input ATM release message from an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, to extract the input from the input ATM release message, to communicate the input to the multi-service control point, to receive the output generated by the multi-service control point, to generate the output ATM release message using the output, and communicate the output ATM signaling message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network.

14. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point includes various applications operable to provide VToA services through analyzing the input to generate the output.

15. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the ATM signaling intercept processor includes a call model operable to model multiple switched virtual circuits, including the ATM switched virtual circuit, for providing VToA using the ATM network.

16. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the ATM edge switch receives the input ATM setup message in a predefined format from a customer premises equipment.

17. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the ATM edge switch receives the input ATM setup message from an enterprise gateway.

18. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the content exchanged through the ATM switched virtual circuit of the ATM network includes video.

19. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the content exchanged through the ATM switched virtual circuit of the ATM network includes data.

20. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-service control point is operable to determine if the called party phone number value is valid, and wherein the input ATM setup message is rejected if the called party phone number value is not valid.

21. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a second multi-service control point operable to receive an egress input extracted from the output ATM setup message that includes the called party phone number value, and generate an egress output in response,

a second ATM signaling intercept processor operable to intercept the output ATM setup message from an egress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, extract the egress input from the output ATM setup message, communicate the egress input to the second multi-service control point, receive the egress output generated by the multi-service control point, generate an ATM setup message using the egress output, and communicate the ATM setup message to the egress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, and wherein the service administration is operable to provision the second multi-service control point and the second ATM signaling intercept processor.

22. The intelligent network ofclaim 21, wherein the second multi-service control point is the multi-service control point are the same multi-service control point.

23. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the service administration maintains a database of record.

24. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the service administration provides an interface to the multi-service control point and the ATM signal intercept processor.

25. The intelligent network ofclaim 1, wherein the ingress ATM switch has a device side portion and a network side portion.

26. An ATM telecommunications network with an intelligent network for providing VToA services using an ATM switched virtual circuit, the ATM telecommunications network comprising:

an ATM network operable to communicate ATM cells and ATM messages;

an ingress ATM edge switch in communication with the ATM network and an ingress CPE, the ingress ATM edge switch operable to receive an input ATM setup message from an ingress CPE and to communicate an output ATM setup message to the ATM network;

an egress ATM edge switch in communication with the ATM network and an egress CPE, the egress ATM edge switch operable to receive the output ATM setup message from the ATM network and to communicate an ATM setup message to an egress CPE;

an intelligent network that includes:

a multi-service control point operable to receive an input extracted from the input ATM setup message that includes a called party phone number value and a VToA designator, and generate an output in response for use in generating the output ATM setup message,

an ATM signaling intercept processor operable to intercept the input ATM setup message from the ingress ATM edge switch, extract the input from the input ATM setup message, communicate the input to the multi-service control point, receive the output generated by the multi-service control point, generate the output ATM setup message using the output, and communicate the output ATM setup message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network,

a second multi-service control point operable to receive an egress input extracted from the output ATM setup message that includes the called party phone number value, and generate an egress output in response,

a second ATM signaling intercept processor operable to intercept the output ATM setup message from the egress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, extract the egress input from the output ATM setup message, communicate the egress input to the second multi-service control point, receive the egress output generated by the multi-service control point, generate an ATM setup message using the output, and communicate the ATM setup message to the egress ATM edge switch of the ATM network,

a service administration operable to provision the multi-service control point, the ATM signaling intercept processor, the second multi-service control point and the second ATM signaling intercept processor.

27. The ATM telecommunications network ofclaim 26, wherein the input includes a calling party phone number value and an ATM address of the calling party CPE, and wherein the called party phone number value is stored in a called party subaddress parameter of the input-ATM setup message, the VToA designator is stored in a called party number parameter of the input ATM setup message, the calling party phone number value is stored in a calling party subaddress parameter of the input ATM setup message, and the ATM address of the calling party CPE is stored in a calling party number parameter of the input ATM setup message.

28. The ATM telecommunications network ofclaim 27, wherein the called party phone number value is stored in a called party subaddress parameter of the output ATM setup message, the ATM address of the called party is stored in a called party number parameter of the output ATM setup message, the calling party phone number value is stored in a calling party subaddress parameter of the output ATM setup message, and the ATM address of the calling party CPE is stored in a calling party number parameter of the output ATM setup message.

29. A method for providing VToA using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network, the method comprising:

intercepting an input ATM setup message from an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network;

extracting information from the input ATM setup message;

analyzing the information to determine if the input ATM setup message is a request to set up an SVC for VToA;

determining an ATM address of a called party CPE;

generating an output ATM setup message that includes the ATM address of a called party CPE; and

communicating the output ATM setup message to the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network.

30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein analyzing the information to determine if the input ATM setup message is a request to set up an SVC for VToA includes checking for the presence of a VToA designator.

31. The method ofclaim 29, wherein extracting information from the input ATM setup message includes generating an input from the input ATM setup message that includes a called party phone number value and a VToA designator.

32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein analyzing the information to determine if the input ATM setup message is a request to set up an SVC for VToA includes analyzing the input to determine if the input includes the VToA designator.

33. The method ofclaim 32, wherein determining an ATM address of a called party CPE includes correlating the called party phone number value of the input with the ATM address of the called party CPE using a database.

34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein generating an output ATM setup message that includes the ATM address of a called party CPE further includes generating the output ATM setup message that includes the called party phone number value.

35. The method ofclaim 34, wherein intercepting the input ATM setup message from the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network, and extracting information from the input ATM setup message are performed using an ATM signaling intercept processor.

36. The method ofclaim 35, wherein analyzing the information to determine if the input ATM setup message is a request to set up an SVC for VToA, and determining the ATM address of the called party CPE are performed using a multi-service control point.

37. The method ofclaim 36, wherein generating an output ATM setup message that includes the ATM address of a called party CPE is performed using the ATM signaling intercept processor.

38. The method ofclaim 37, wherein the input ATM setup message provides the VToA designator stored in the called party address parameter and the called party phone number value stored in the called party subaddress parameter.

39. The method ofclaim 38, wherein the output ATM setup message provides the ATM address of the called party CPE stored in the called party address parameter and the called party phone number value stored in the called party subaddress.

40. The method ofclaim 29, wherein analyzing the information to determine if the input ATM setup message is a request to set up an SVC for VToA further includes processing the information to provide VToA services.

41. A method for providing VToA using an intelligent network and a switched virtual circuit over an ATM network, the method comprising:

receiving a request at an ingress CPE to make a VToA call that includes a called party phone number value;

generating an input ATM setup message at the CPE that includes the called party phone number and a VToA designator stored in a designated parameter of the input ATM setup message;

receiving the input ATM setup message at a device side of an ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network;

intercepting the input ATM setup message from the device side of the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network;

extracting information from the input ATM setup message that includes the VToA designator and the called party phone number;

analyzing the information to determine if the VToA designator is present;

determining an ATM address of a called party CPE using the called party phone number and a database;

generating an output ATM setup message that includes the ATM address of a called party CPE and the called party phone number;

communicating the output ATM setup message to a network side of the ingress ATM edge switch of the ATM network;

receiving the output ATM setup message at a network side of an egress ATM edge switch;

intercepting the output ATM setup message from the network side of the egress ATM edge switch of the ATM network;

extracting egress information from the output ATM setup message that includes the ATM address of the called party CPE;

communicating the output ATM setup message to a device side of the egress ATM edge switch; and

communicating the output ATM setup message to the called party CPE.

42. The method ofclaim 41, wherein generating an input ATM setup message at the CPE includes storing the VToA designator in the called party address parameter and storing the called party phone number value in the called party subaddress parameter.

43. The method ofclaim 42, wherein generating an output ATM setup message includes storing the ATM address of the called party CPE in the called party address parameter and storing the called party phone number value stored in the called party subaddress.

44. The method ofclaim 41, further comprising:

processing the information to provide VToA services after analyzing the information to determine if the VToA designator is present.

Images